ZHAKE
Unai Emery hinted that Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio will soon force their way into Aston Villa’s starting XI as they prepare to face Liverpool on Wednesday.
Villa’s on-loan pair have produced impressive cameos in their two substitute outings and Emery expects them to be ready to play from the off in the coming weeks. Asensio sparkled in the FA Cup win over Tottenham while Rashford hit the bar and nearly created a winner for Morgan Rogers in the 1-1 draw with Ipswich.
Emery said: ‘They are in their individual process to get fit and understand tactically our idea. Tactically we are changing a little bit with those players and we have to try and practise a little bit in the training session as well to trying it in matches.
‘We did that in two matches with Asensio and Marcus and with (on loan Chelsea defender) Axel Disasi in the last match.
‘We were working every day here trying to them to understand our idea and we are having some meetings as well. Now they are getting better, understanding more and getting closer to playing in the starting XI. Both players have made impressive substitute appearances since joining Aston Villa
The Villa boss said that both players are getting used to what he wants from them in games. At their best, Emery believes the pair can inspire their team-mates in the same way Mohamed Salah brings the best from his Liverpool colleagues.
Salah has 23 goals and 14 assists in the Premier League alone and Emery knows Villa face a huge task to stop the Egyptian. The Villa boss added: ‘Salah is unique, he’s feeling confident and comfortable, playing decent football in his best moment. Marcus did it (in the past) and Marco Asensio did it as well. My challenge with them is to get the best from them. Each one has his qualities.’
ZHAKE
Qudus Salihu